Forward & Unfiltered Podcast

Brand Managers
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Forward and Unfiltered is where manufacturing leaders tell the real stories behind their businesses — the sparks, the struggles, and the turning points that shaped their success. Hosted by Nauman Poonja, Fractional CFO and Chief Data Officer for manufacturers, each episode dives into the money decisions, inventory challenges, automation wins, and mindset shifts that define a thriving operation.   If you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or operator looking for clarity, practical insights, and stories that sound like your world, this show gives you the perspective you need to move forward with confidence.   Real talk. Real numbers. Real manufacturing.

Episodes

  1. 12/09/2025 ·  VIDEO

    Building a Legacy Through Chaos

    In this kickoff episode of Forward & Unfiltered, host Nauman Poonja sits down with Jeff Fodge, CEO of Glico Plating, for a raw and heartfelt conversation about resilience, family legacy, and the long game of building a business that survives every season. Jeff shares how he went from working the plating line at 17 to leading a 60,000 sq. ft. manufacturing operation—enduring recessions, the telecom crash, a full facility shutdown, and even a devastating fire. Through every pivot, he kept faith, grit, and a relentless belief in hard work.   Guest Introduction: Jeff Fodge is the CEO of Glico Plating and a lifelong operator who quite literally built his career from the shop floor up. Starting at 17 under the guidance of his father-in-law, Jeff rose through every role in the business, eventually steering the company through recessions, industry transitions, and major setbacks. His story is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and generational evolution in family-owned businesses. https://www.glecoplating.com   Key Takeaways: Grit is built in the trenches—Jeff’s leadership foundation started on the plating line. Resilience isn’t optional; recessions and industry swings forced strategic reinvention. Stubbornness can be both the fuel and the friction in a founder’s journey. Having the right advisors could have prevented years of unnecessary struggle. Documented processes became the backbone of sustainable growth. The next generation brings fresh thinking—if you’re willing to let them. Chapter Markers 0:00 Intro 3:37 Getting into Electroplating 4:25 Incorporating Glico & Early Years 6:07 Building the First Shop from Scratch 7:13 First Customer & Early Operations 17:05 Transitioning into Leadership 20:11 Returning to College While Running the Business 36:47 Opening McAllen Facility (First Time) 38:03 Growth, Recession & Setbacks 40:24 Telecom Bust & Forced Shutdown 43:30 Stubbornness, Faith & Perseverance 45:07 Matt Joins the Business & Modernizes Operations 50:09 The Double-Edged Sword of Stubbornness 51:47 Hard Work, Advisors & Evolving Leadership 52:25 Culture, Documentation & Holding Standards Keywords: Forward and Unfiltered, Nauman Poonja, Jeff Fodge, Glico Plating, founder story, leadership journey, family business, recession resilience, manufacturing CEO, business setbacks, operational excellence, legacy leadership, entrepreneurship, business growth, founder resilience

    58 min

  2. 12/04/2025

    Building a Legacy Through Chaos

    In this kickoff episode of Forward & Unfiltered, host Nauman Poonja sits down with Jeff Fodge, CEO of Glico Plating, for a raw and heartfelt conversation about resilience, family legacy, and the long game of building a business that survives every season. Jeff shares how he went from working the plating line at 17 to leading a 60,000 sq. ft. manufacturing operation—enduring recessions, the telecom crash, a full facility shutdown, and even a devastating fire. Through every pivot, he kept faith, grit, and a relentless belief in hard work.   Guest Introduction: Jeff Fodge is the CEO of Glico Plating and a lifelong operator who quite literally built his career from the shop floor up. Starting at 17 under the guidance of his father-in-law, Jeff rose through every role in the business, eventually steering the company through recessions, industry transitions, and major setbacks. His story is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and generational evolution in family-owned businesses. https://www.glecoplating.com   Key Takeaways: Grit is built in the trenches—Jeff’s leadership foundation started on the plating line. Resilience isn’t optional; recessions and industry swings forced strategic reinvention. Stubbornness can be both the fuel and the friction in a founder’s journey. Having the right advisors could have prevented years of unnecessary struggle. Documented processes became the backbone of sustainable growth. The next generation brings fresh thinking—if you’re willing to let them. Chapter Markers 0:00 Intro 3:37 Getting into Electroplating 4:25 Incorporating Glico & Early Years 6:07 Building the First Shop from Scratch 7:13 First Customer & Early Operations 17:05 Transitioning into Leadership 20:11 Returning to College While Running the Business 36:47 Opening McAllen Facility (First Time) 38:03 Growth, Recession & Setbacks 40:24 Telecom Bust & Forced Shutdown 43:30 Stubbornness, Faith & Perseverance 45:07 Matt Joins the Business & Modernizes Operations 50:09 The Double-Edged Sword of Stubbornness 51:47 Hard Work, Advisors & Evolving Leadership 52:25 Culture, Documentation & Holding Standards Keywords: Forward and Unfiltered, Nauman Poonja, Jeff Fodge, Glico Plating, founder story, leadership journey, family business, recession resilience, manufacturing CEO, business setbacks, operational excellence, legacy leadership, entrepreneurship, business growth, founder resilience

    58 min
  • 2 Episodes

About

Forward and Unfiltered is where manufacturing leaders tell the real stories behind their businesses — the sparks, the struggles, and the turning points that shaped their success. Hosted by Nauman Poonja, Fractional CFO and Chief Data Officer for manufacturers, each episode dives into the money decisions, inventory challenges, automation wins, and mindset shifts that define a thriving operation.   If you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or operator looking for clarity, practical insights, and stories that sound like your world, this show gives you the perspective you need to move forward with confidence.   Real talk. Real numbers. Real manufacturing.

Information

  • Creator
    Brand Managers
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Forward & Unfiltered Podcast